Seth MacFarlane plans to have college kids deliver Oscars

November 30, 2012|By Patrick Kevin Day | This post has been updated. See note below for details

(Mark Davis / Getty Images )

Seth MacFarlane, host of the forthcoming Oscars ceremony, has big plans for the event--and it involves college kids.

MacFarlane was the surprise lecturer at Professor Denise Mann's Overview of Contemporary Film History course at UCLA on Wednesday, filming an episode of the MTVU series "Stand In," in which celebrities replace normal professors for a day.

But his appearance wasn't the only surprise MacFarlane had. He also announced a nationwide contest, The Oscar Experience College Search, which will select at least six college students to come deliver Oscar statuettes to presenters during the Feb. 24 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Normally the job is done by models, but this year, MacFarlane and Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are attempting to draw in a younger audience.

"In re-imagining what we want the Oscar show to be, we wanted everyone appearing on that stage to feel a deep commitment to film and its legacy, and most importantly, its future," Zadan and Meron said in a statement.

Students wanting to get the gig have to fill out a form and upload a video answering the question, "How will you contribute to the future of the movies?"

According to the Associated Press, MacFarlane also told the students that he's working to make "Family Guy" into a feature film. He already has the concept and said that it will happen "at some point."

MacFarlane said in a statement, "For a film student to go to the Oscars and be a part of presenting is a huge break."

Now just tell that to the poor kid who attempts to slip his demo reel to Steven Spielberg as he's walking off the stage.

[For the Record, 4 p.m. Nov. 30: A previous version of this post identified the UCLA professor as Denise Grimes. Her correct name is Denise Mann.]